Les Gilson
We regretfully announce the passing of a 1960 FA Amateur Cup Final hero.
We are saddened to announce that Les Gilson, a member of Kingstonian's team that played in the 1960 FA Amateur Cup Final, has passed away after a short illness.
Les moved from Guildford City to Hayes in 1955 and played over a hundred games for the club, becoming captain in 1958. From Hayes to the K's, Les made his first appearance for Kingstonian on 7th February 1959 in a 2-1 victory away at Romford, scoring one of the goals - he scored in each of his first three K's games.
He went on to make 155 appearances for the club, scoring 29 goals in two spells that covered between February 1959 and December 1963. In between spells, he moved to Nottingham to become the Area Manager for an office equipment company at the the end of the 1960-61 campaign, played one season for Notts County's reserve team and returned to Kingstonian for the 1962-63 season.
Upon leaving Kingstonian in December 1963, he moved to Sandy Lane to play for Tooting and Mitcham United and then had a spell with Leatherhead.
Together with his son Clive, he wrote a book about his career - named "Ragged A**** Ruffian" (that's the actual title, we haven't censored it!) - you can buy it now at this link.
His funeral will be held at 11.30am on Wednesday 7th December at the Oak Chapel, Crownhill Crematorium, Milton Keynes MK8 0AH.
